Shift device for the needle bed of a straight knitting machine

Abstract

A shift device for the needle bed of a straight knitting machine comprises an indexing disc having a periphery movable substantially at right angles to the intended direction of shift of the needle bed and stoppable in selected positions. A plurality of eccentric indexing boss means adjustably mounted on the disc periphery for eccentric displacement about spindles extending radially of the disc, and a guide channel is securable to the needle bed oriented in the direction of the disc periphery. The width of the guide channel substantially corresponds to the diameter of each eccentric boss means and the eccentric boss means engage in the guide channel for establishing a predetermined shift of the guide channel substantially at right angles to the peripheral movement of the disc in accordance with the eccentricity of the boss means.

We claim: 
     
       1. A shift device for the needle bed of a straight knitting machine comprising; an indexing disc having periphery movable substantially at right angles to the intended direction of shift of the needle bed and stoppable in selected positions; a plurality of eccentric indexing boss means adjustably mounted on the disc periphery for eccentric displacement about spindles extending radially of the disc; and a guide channel securable to the needle bed oriented in the direction of the disc periphery and having a width which substantially corresponds to the diameter of each eccentric boss means, the eccentric boss means engaging in said guide channel for establishing a predetermined shift of the guide means substantially at right angles to the direction of the peripheral movement of the disc in accordance with the eccentricity of the boss means. 
     
     
       2. A shift device as claimed in claim 1, in which the eccentric boss means are equiangularly spaced from each other along the periphery of the indexing disc and the indexing disc is firmly connected to a stop disc which has locking positions which are evenly spaced along its periphery to correspond with the spacing angles between the eccentric boss means. 
     
     
       3. A shift device as claimed in claim 1, in which each of the eccentric boss means has an attachment means which is disposed eccentrically with respect to an outer periphery of the boss means and which fits accurately in a radial bore in the periphery of the indexing disc. 
     
     
       4. A shift device as claimed in claim 3, including a clamping screw for securing each eccentric boss means in its set position, the clamping screw being screwed into the indexing disc through a bore in the eccentric boss means and through a concentric bore in the attachment means associated with each eccentric boss means. 
     
     
       5. A shift device as claimed in claim 1, in which faces engageable by a spanner are provided on each eccentric boss means to enable the eccentric boss means to be displaced. 
     
     
       6. A shift device as claimed in claim 1, including a marking provided on the periphery of each eccentric boss means to enable the position of the eccentric boss means to be observed. 
     
     
       7. A shift device as claimed in claim 6, in which the markings are provided on end faces of each eccentric boss means. 
     
     
       8. A shift device as claimed in claim 1, in which the guide channel has flat inclined lead faces in an inlet and outlet zone.